Representative Bernard Willis

I recently had the privilege to moderate a panel at the Drive Ohio Alliance meeting. Here, I specifically sat down with our lead experts on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Taking Flight in Ohio and had the opportunity to learn about what the industry is accomplishing. I learned about the incredible strides we as a state are taking with autonomous flying vehicles and electrified aircraft that are able to move from state to state on a single charge! Since taking office, I have been spreading the word that Ohio is not only the birth place of aviation, but the HOME of aviation. Over the last few years, we have have welcomed in companies like that of Honda, Joby Aviation, and most recently Anduril, all leaders in the field. This simply helps to further solidify Ohio as the leader in ALL things aviation. I am proud to be apart of this advancement and watching it take off to new heights!

What a great kick off to the 77th Annual Clark County Fair! I am honored to have had the chance to speak at the opening ceremonies. I truly cannot thank all of the those who helped set this fair up and the dedication to it took to make it as great as possible.

If you haven't made it out yet, its not to late! The fair ends this Friday the 26th! I hope to see you all there!

Proud to give sponsor testimony on the House floor for HB77 last Wednesday!! A year after introduction, legislation to establish state laws for the operation of unmanned
aerial vehicles, or drones, was recently voted out of the Ohio House.
Licensure and pilot responsibility for their unmanned aircraft are already regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Willis’ legislation will codify these federal laws and will create four prohibited flying areas of operations as state law, but this legislation also establishes penalties to ensure that Ohio will have the ability to prosecute bad actors with drones.
The four key operations this bill will enforce:
Operating a drone in a reckless manner that endangers others;
Operating a drone in a way that is prohibited by FAA regulation;
Operating a drone that interferes with first responder activities;
Operating a drone to record or loiter over or near designated critical infrastructure.
This legislation will also give local government control to further restrict operation of recreational drones in or above a park or other public property owned by the local government and will task the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation to publish all regulations relating to drone activity in the state.
The bill will now go to the Senate for further consideration.